Hair Grooming Device

ABSTRACT

A hair grooming device (FIG.  1 ) comprising of a flat ( 1 ) or cylindrical base (FIG.  10 ( 18 )) arranged in steps; teeth ( 2 ) attached to the base, in one row or many rows, whereby the hair may be combed between the space ( 3 ) created by the different steps and underlying the teeth, and/or additionally within the teeth arrangement; teeth/bristles in brush formation (FIG.  8 ( 13 )); an attachment to a hair dryer (FIG.  6 ) (FIG.  18 ) (FIG.  23 ) (FIG.  24 )  (FIG.  25 ) (FIG.  26 ) whereby hot air blows through a gap as represented by (FIG.  6  ( 10 )) between the teeth/bristles and the base; a dye applicator (FIG.  16 ) whereby dye is applied to the hair through holes ( 27 ) between the teeth and the base by pushing down into a space  ( 28 ) through the mechanism of a plunger ( 29 ); a hair clipper (FIG.  20 ) whereby blades are able to slide down between the steps and/or a hair clip (FIG.  21 ) whereby the steps are able to be collapsed after insertion into the hair such that they grip the hair.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to PCT Application Number PCT/KE2011/000026, filed Sep. 19, 2011, which application claims priority to Kenyan National Application Serial Number KE/P/2010/001146, filed Sep. 20, 2010. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD STATEMENT

The present invention is in the field of grooming of hair, whether human or animal hair and, is characterized by the principle of approaching the grooming of hair in terms of layers.

BACKGROUND ART

The cuticle along the hair shaft is known to play a very important role in the health and appearance of both animal and human hair.

Healthy cuticles allow hair to have a sheen and be soft to the touch.

On the other hand, damaged cuticles can result in problems of dryness, hair breakage, density of appearance, frizz, roughness to the touch, compaction of hair, tangles and hardness.

Solutions to combat the problems in human hair, are most often by the application of hair care products to the hair. For example, hair pomades, hair creams and sprays, conditioners and other products which tend to coat the hair. Other solutions to the problems encountered by human hair are to perm the hair in some manner, whether through straight perms or other perms such as a curly kit.

Up until now, there has not been a device which allows the hair—whether animal or human, to be softened naturally by means of a technical mechanical application to the hair.

This invention works by targeting the cuticles along the surface of individual hairs. The invention smoothes the cuticles along the individual hairs, allowing them to be more tight and closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hair grooming device (FIG. 1) comprising of; a flat (FIG. 1 (1) FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8) or curved or cylindrical base (FIG. 10 (18), FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG. 17) arranged in steps, teeth (2) attached to the base which is arranged in steps, whereby teeth are attached to each step creating layers of combs, either flat layers or cylindrical layers, teeth in brush formation (FIG. 8 (13), FIG. 17 (30)), attached to the base which is arranged in steps, whereby teeth in brush formation are attached to each step creating layers of brushes, either flat layers or cylindrical layers, an attachment to a hair dryer (FIG. 6, FIG. 18, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26) whereby hot air blows through a gap (10) between the teeth in comb or brush formation and the base, a dye applicator (FIG. 16) whereby dye is applied to the hair through holes (27) between the teeth and the base by pushing down into a space (28) through the mechanism of a plunger (29), a hair clipper (FIG. 20) whereby blades are able to slide down between the step arrangement of the base (31), a hair clip (FIG. 21) whereby the step arrangement of the base is able to be collapsed after insertion into the hair such that the device grips the hair.

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, whereby the teeth, which may be singly attached or multiply attached are arranged in sequential rows attached to sequential bases at an angle of 0 degrees to 89 degrees (FIG. 1 (1), FIG. 3 (6), (FIG. 4 (7), FIG. 8 (13), FIG. 10 (16), FIG. 17 (30)).

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, whereby the teeth, which are tapered, may be parallel to the base or curved concave to the base (FIG. 1 (1), FIG. 3 (6)), (FIG. 4 (7), FIG. 8 (13), FIG. 10 (16), FIG. 17 (30)).

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is compressed between the teeth of the comb and the flat base (3), thereby smoothing the cuticles of the individual hairs (FIG. 2).

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is compressed between the concave curved teeth of the comb, which may also be in brush formation, and the cylindrical base thereby encouraging hair in a curling action, including curlers and eyelashes (FIG. 11, FIG. 13, FIG. 15).

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is coated with dye passing through small holes underneath the teeth of the comb, and adjacent to the base which is arranged in steps (FIG. 16).

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is in contact with hot air blowing through a space of a hair dryer attachment, in such manner that the cuticles of the hair are kept closed and hair is dried in a manner which allows for a smooth and glossy appearance (FIG. 7, FIG. 19).

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is compressed between the steps of the device, the device is then collapsed to cause further compression of the hair, resulting in firm gripping of the hair.

A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used hair is cut by a mechanism of blades descending between the steps of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the basic model of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view as to how the basic model, FIG. 1 works.

FIG. 3 is a view of the model of the invention for hair which may need the teeth angled.

FIG. 4 is a view of the model of the invention for hair which may need longer teeth, also angled.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 4 works.

FIG. 6 is a view of the model of the invention for a hair dryer attachment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 6 works.

FIG. 8 is a view of the model of the invention for use as a hair brush.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 8 works.

FIG. 10 is a view of the model of the invention for rounding the ends of the hair.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 10 works.

FIG. 12 is a view of the model of the invention as a hair curler.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 12 works.

FIG. 14 is a view of the model as a mascara wand.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 14 works.

FIG. 16 is a view of the model as a dye applicator.

FIG. 17 is a view of FIG. 8 represented as a round brush.

FIG. 18 is a view of FIG. 8 represented as a hair dryer attachment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 18 works.

FIG. 20 is a view of the model as clippers/scissors.

FIG. 21 is a view of the model as a hair clip.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view as to how FIG. 21 works.

FIG. 23 is a view of FIG. 17 as a hair dryer attachment.

FIG. 24 is a view of FIG. 10 as a hair dryer attachment.

FIG. 25 is a view of FIG. 3 as a hair dryer attachment.

FIG. 26 is a view of FIG. 4 as a hair dryer attachment.

DESCRIPTION

The invention may be executed where the base of the invention appears in 2 basic forms. The two forms are; with a base which is flat, or with a base which is cylindrical.

The invention may be handcrafted or mass produced from a manufacturer's mould.

The Invention with a Flat Base.

Combs/brushes are stacked in steps such that the teeth of the device of the layer on top emerge a little bit over the teeth of the device of the layer underneath.

Each layer after the top one, has a wide base which forms a platform underneath the teeth of the layer on top.

When in use, the device is flipped over, such that the layer with the shortest base lies closest to the root when in use. The teeth of the comb, at a level of individual layers, pick up the hair and feed it to the base of the layer parallel to the arrangement of the teeth.

Hair is combed from the tips of the hair backwards towards the root of the hair so that hair travels along the base of consecutive layers of the invention, with the cuticles of the hair being smoothed in sequence by the follow on layer. Grooming of the hair begins from the layer of the hair furthest from the root, to the layer of the hair closest to the root.

The Invention with a Curved Base.

This appears as though the invention with a flat base has been transferred to a cylindrical structure and wrapped around that structure. The sequence of steps remains, albeit it in a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, each of the steps of the base arrangement is of a uniform size, which differs from the flat base which has the first step appearing shorter than the rest which are then uniform in size and shape. As with the device with a flat base, with models with a cylindrical base, the teeth of the device of the layer on top emerge a little bit over the teeth of the device of the layer underneath.

When in use, the device with a cylindrical base is used in a rolling manner so as to curl the hair in the desired fashion. The teeth of the comb, at a level of individual layers, pick up the hair and feed it to the base of the layer parallel to the arrangement of the teeth, as this base is curved, hair is encouraged to curl in a manner imitative of the curve of the base.

Hair is combed from the tips of the hair backwards towards the root of the hair, so that hair travels along the base of consecutive layers of the invention, with the cuticles of the hair being smoothed and curled in sequence by the follow on layer. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair grooming device (FIG. 1) comprising of: a flat (FIG. 1 (1) FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8) or curved or cylindrical base (FIG. 10 (18), FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG. 17) arranged in steps, teeth (2) attached to the base which is arranged in steps, whereby teeth are attached to each step creating layers of combs, either flat layers or cylindrical layers, teeth in brush formation (FIG. 8 (13), FIG. 17 (30)), attached to the base which is arranged in steps, whereby teeth in brush formation are attached to each step creating layers of brushes, either flat layers or cylindrical layers, an attachment to a hair dryer (FIG. 6, FIG. 18, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26) whereby hot air blows through a gap (10) between the teeth in comb or brush formation and the base, a dye applicator (FIG. 16) whereby dye is applied to the hair through holes (27) between the teeth and the base by pushing down into a space (28) through the mechanism of a plunger (29), a hair clipper (FIG. 20) whereby blades are able to slide down between the step arrangement of the base (31), a hair clip (FIG. 21) whereby the step arrangement of the base is able to be collapsed after insertion into the hair such that the device grips the hair.
 2. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, whereby the teeth, which may be singly attached or multiply attached are arranged in sequential rows attached to sequential bases at an angle of 0 degrees to 89 degrees (FIG. 1 (1), FIG. 3 (6), (FIG. 4 (7), FIG. 8 (13), FIG. 10 (16), FIG. 17 (30)).
 3. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, whereby the teeth, which are tapered, may be parallel to the base or curved concave to the base (FIG. 1 (1), FIG. 3 (6)), (FIG. 4 (7), FIG. 8 (13), FIG. 10 (16), FIG. 17 (30)).
 4. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is compressed between the teeth of the comb and the flat base (3), thereby smoothing the cuticles of the individual hairs (FIG. 2).
 5. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is compressed between the concave curved teeth of the comb, which may also be in brush formation, and the cylindrical base thereby encouraging hair in a curling action, including curlers and eyelashes (FIG. 11, FIG. 13, FIG. 15).
 6. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is coated with dye passing through small holes underneath the teeth of the comb, and adjacent to the base which is arranged in steps (FIG. 16).
 7. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is in contact with hot air blowing through a space of a hair dryer attachment, in such manner that the cuticles of the hair are kept closed and hair is dried in a manner which allows for a smooth and glossy appearance (FIG. 7, FIG. 19).
 8. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used, hair is compressed between the steps of the device, the device is then collapsed to cause further compression of the hair, resulting in firm gripping of the hair.
 9. A hair grooming device as defined in claim 1, when used hair is cut by a mechanism of blades descending between the steps of the device. 